The Commonwealth Elections Commission of Puerto Rico certified yesterday the Sovereigntist Union Movement (MUS) as a registered party by petition for the Island's upcoming November 6 general election.

Historically, Puerto Rican politics have revolved around the status issue - the question of the island's relationship with the United States. Since 1968, two major parties have alternated in power: the Popular Democratic Party (PPD), which has sought retention of the existing U.S. Commonwealth status, and the New Progresive Party (PNP), which wants to turn the island into America's 51st state. A small minority - around two to five percent of voters - backs the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP), which advocates Puerto Rico's independence from the U.S.

Puerto Rico also had four islandwide parties for the 2008 general election, when the environmentalist-oriented Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico (PPR) secured its registration. However, both PPR and PIP lost their party by petition status in the election, as neither fulfilled the requirements set forth by law at the time to remain registered, namely at least seven percent of the total number of votes cast for all the party insignias; or at least three percent of the total number of straight ballots cast for all the parties; or at least five percent of the total number of votes cast for all the candidates for Governor.

Nevertheless, PIP re-registered as a party by petition in early 2009, and PPR may also re-register as a party by petition, as it has collected 48,000 of the approximately 58,000 petitions currently required by law for registration. On the other hand, the new Working People's Party (PPT) has filed 30,000 endorsements. Should PPR and PPT become registered parties, there would be six parties on the Puerto Rican election ballot for the first time since 1972.